Claflin to Host Inauguration Week of Activities to Officially Welcome its Ninth President

The inauguration of Claflin University President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack on March 15-20, 2020, will begin a new chapter in the institution's illustrious history which spans more than 150 years. The investiture ceremony will be held on Friday, March 20, at 10 a.m. in the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex when Warmack will be formally installed as Claflin's ninth president.

It has been more than a quarter century since Claflin last hosted a presidential inauguration. The theme for Warmack's inauguration, Building on the Past, While Transcending Into the Future, reflects his profound appreciation and respect for the University's proud legacy of academic excellence. 

"I am standing on the shoulders of eight giants who came before me," said Warmack who began his tenure at Claflin on August 1, 2019. "They were remarkable leaders who displayed tremendous tenacity, courage, drive and a commitment to transform Claflin into one of the nation's leading institutions that happens to be a historically black college/university (HBCU)."

The theme also symbolizes Warmack's unwavering commitment to leading Claflin to unprecedented prosperity through a robust student enrollment and creating an unparalleled Claflin experience that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities in the 21st Century. Warmack's other priorities include expanding access to the University's high-quality academic programs by increasing fundraising to provide scholarships that help each student graduate with a Claflin degree.

"My transformation came through academic opportunities, Warmack said. "Our goal at Claflin is to develop our students holistically, academically, personally, socially, and spiritually. We want our students to graduate from Claflin transformed and ready to change the world."

The Claflin University Board of Trustees and the University's administration invites supporters from throughout the campus community and beyond to attend the inauguration week activities and events beginning Sunday, March 15 through Friday, March 20. The week-long events are listed below:

Sunday, March 15, 2-6 p.m.
First Daughter's Community & Family Day
Goff Street 

Join the First Daughter, Miss Morgan Warmack, as we celebrate the vibrant mix of cultures on the Claflin campus and officially kickoff a week of celebrating the Inauguration of her dad, Claflin's ninth president, Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack.

Free and open to the community. 

Monday, March 16, All Day
Panther Pride/Service Day
On-campus

Join us as we preserve and maintain the beauty of our historic campus. Claflin University was listed among the most heavenly HBCU campuses by Black Southern Belle Magazine. The campus is defined by its historic district, buildings on the National Registry of Historic Places that include Lee Library, Tingley Memorial Hall and Ministers' Hall. These buildings received the time honored Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation from the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.

Free and open to the community. 

Tuesday, March 17, 6 p.m.
First Lady's Hats and Gloves Tea
Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex

The First Lady's Hats and Gloves Tea is a fundraiser which supports the University's mission of providing scholarships that help students graduate with a Claflin degree. This will be the first scholarship tea for First Lady LaKisha Warmack. The First Lady's Hats and Gloves Scholarship Tea is held in conjunction with Women's History Month which is observed nationally in March. This year's theme,"Valiant Women of the Vote," salutes the women who have been at the forefront in the struggle for women's right to vote in the United States. 

Cost: $75/person; $700/table of 10
Click here for tickets and sponsorship

Wednesday, March 18, 7 p.m.
Presidential Lecture Series
Speaker: Susan Taylor
Founder & CEO, National CARES Mentoring Movement & Editor-in-Chief Emeritus, Essence Magazine
W.V. Middleton Fine Arts Center

Susan L. Taylor is the founder and CEO of the National CARES Mentoring Movement. After 27 years at the helm of Essence Magazine, Taylor left publishing to devote her life to building the National CARES Mentoring, founded as Essence CARES. The National CARES mission is to help end inter-generational poverty by securing and transforming the lives of under-resourced Black children. National CARES affiliates recruit caring adults to serve as mentors and role models at local youth-serving organization. The national group-mentoring programs focus on the emotional, social and academic development of children and the wellness of the adults who parent and mentor them. 

Free and open to the community. 

Thursday, March 19, 7 p.m.
HBCU Presidents vs Claflin Students Basketball Game - Who Got Game?
Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex

Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack has formed a team of presidential colleagues to play against Claflin University students. Who will have "bragging rights" of winning the Inauguration Basketball Game?

Free and open to the community. 

Friday, March 20, 7:30 a.m.
Prayer Breakfast
Ministers' Hall

Various leaders of faith-based communities will come together to pray for the leadership of Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack as he continues to serve as the ninth president of Claflin University.

By invitation only.

Friday, March 20, 10 a.m.
Presidential Investiture Ceremony for Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack
Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex

Rich in tradition and protocol, an investiture is the "formal ceremony of conferring the authority and symbols of high office." Please join us for the investiture of Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, the ninth president of Claflin University.

Free and open to the community. 

Friday, March 20, 7 p.m.
Inaugural Benefit Concert
TBA